"The Girl who Learned to Dream", by Pilar Menen Aventin

When the author approached me with the invitation to read her romance book I was quite hesitant. I am not a fan of romance but to my delight the story was not a mushy romance but more of a psychological fiction, a story were the narrative emphasized on the spiritual, emotional and mental life of the main character.

This is a story that encourages dreaming…..

Monica is an unstable individual, looking for love and happiness, not able to get emotional involved for long even married and having a child was not fulfilling. Boy friends in and out of her life although her female friends seemed to last a little longer. The main character tells how she goes about her life, how she feels and what she does. We follow her through different stages of her life. Monica struggles with life and her narrative is filled with emotions. This is very well-done.

At first, it is hard to sympathize with the main character but she slowly creeps up on you….We also have a good mix of supporting characters, each given a broad background and a significant role to play. Some I love and others not so….They do play an important role in the life of Monica. To change the tone the author injected a bit of suspense, two murders and more family drama.

For a good part of the book I really was captivated. I love how Monica pulled me into her dilemma but unfortunately my interest wavered in the last few chapters went the story got a bit preachy and fell into the occult: crystal balls, spiritual dimension, phenomena, magical beliefs, afterlife, transmigration of souls etc….I tuned out from then on. The ending left me with mixed feelings…..Oh well.

"15 Seconds", by Andrew Gross

This is definitely a chilling thriller and one that kept my attention from start to finish. The story is intensive and I devoured it in no time. What a thrill ride this book offers.

It opens with a bang and then on it never lets up. Mainly told in first person narration and by giving us third person perspective not only Mr. Gross shows us how he is a maestro in balancing different point of views and also how his writing can masterful orchestrates sequenced leaps in time and able to manage revelation and indirection beautifully. I was glued to each page as the suspense mounts and the stakes grow larger and larger.

Now that I piqued your curiosity time to meet the protagonist. Dr. Henry Streadman, a famous Boca Raton plastic surgeon and owner of several pain- management clinics is on his way to a medical conference in Jacksonville FLA. Soon after leaving the airport and on his drive to the hotel he is stopped by a sheriff’s deputy for a minor road infraction. Bullied by the officer who threaten him as a major criminal he flees for his life after gun shots are heard and Henry only sees a dead police officer hunched in his patrol car…….Suddenly he is a wanted man…

Now that you have an idea where this story is heading I will let you read and enjoy it without saying more.

This is a great read that hooks you right from the start and moves at a frenetic pace. The chase is a reminder of that other innocent but hunted doctor in “The Fugitive”. Henry also has help in proving his innocence, Carrie Holmes who works at the Sheriff’s office makes his life on the run easier. But first they have to find who is behind all this and by the end they eventually acknowledge they clearly are dealing with an insane person….

There are lots of players in this game of cat and mouse and lots of chilling twists to entertain us. This plot is not overly complex but is very captivating. Some may say we have a stereotypical nice guy as a protagonist who at time does hilariously stupid moves, but he is very likeable. Carrie is an innocent young woman eager to help an innocent man and get to the bottom of the mystery. The crazy murderer is adamant to dishing out his own justice and finally we have a few insignificant minor players added to the mix.

“15 Seconds” is a spine chilling thriller I enjoyed passing time with.

"Children of the Stars", by Mario Escobar

“Children of the Stars” set in 1942 is the story of Jacob and Moses Stein, two Jewish brothers ages 12 and 8, who cross Nazi-occupied France in the hope of reuniting with their parents. It opens with the boys being caught in a raid and taken to the Vel’d’Hiv velodrome, a repurposed detention camp housing thousands of Jews. They manage to escape and thus begin their life on the run. This is their story.….

This fictional tale highlights the value, courage and decision making of the two children as well as the kindness and humanity amid the perils of the Second World War. Although, the brothers are a figment of the author’s imagination, they represent thousands of children who travel across Europe as refugees during WW11. This is about their journey and the people they meet along the way. Many risked their life to help the boys.

With a simple and poetic style, Mario Escobar leaves small pearls for each chapter that make us reflect on the wonderful and brave people who fight against invaders and help those fleeing by welcoming them at the risk of their own life.

But, this tender and sad story seemed so unreal. The boys are too mature for their ages, they think like adults. Parents abandoning children for a better life in Argentina does not resonate well with me. How can they leave their little ones behind during the Nazi occupation? If so, it must have been heartbreaking for the parents….

Although based on historical facts, this story was unlikely because of the age of the protagonists and the very difficult course they take. This novel reads as if segments of different young lives are played out by these two young boys.

This story is all about hope, heart and faith in humanity.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

"At Death`s Door", by John W. Mefford

Redemption Thriller #23

Alex Trout Thriller #11

Alex and Ozzie always have been the biggest magnets for danger even on a Hawaiian vacation they manage to find themselves in the middle of a deadly encounter with the Yakuza. The theme of this installment is kidnapping, corruption and murder. Who else but our two best protagonists could save the day.

Talk about a nail-biting and edge of your seat suspense. Most of the book holds the excitement as we follow these two discovering that not all who appeared friendly can be trusted….seems even the authority can be corrupted. This story has many twists and turns and trying to figure out who are the good guys and who are the bad guys has kept me guessing till the very end. This is a roller-coaster ride from start to finish.

What a master storyteller, Mr. Mefford knows how to draw you into his story line and never letting you go. He does an outstanding job of making you part of his protagonists’ world in a wild fast-paced way. So much going on: body parts washing up on shore, house blowing up, acquaintance being kidnapped, and fingers being chopped off…. Just a few macabre encounters….

To spice things up Brad Alex’s boyfriend shows up adding turmoil to a shaky relationship. More drama to absorb….and this is so well played out.

I love the story, I love the style, I love the characters but again I love a well thought out thrillers….Mr. Mefford delivers all of this. Well-done.

Mr. Mefford gives us hints that the Alex Trout series is coming to an end with the next installment. Although this will happen I am not worried. He has written sub-series in which characters from different book appear in other novels. Alex will still be active and there to captivate us….hopefully

"Dark Ambitions", by Irene Hannon

Code of Honor book #3

“Dark Ambitions” is a rip-roaring crime thriller based on the disappearance of an army buddy of Former Captain Rick Jordan. “Boomer” may be in trouble or worst but when he is found dead and the police deem his death accidental Rick is far from being convinced, turns to PI Heather Shields for help and joining force they set out to decipher what could have happened…but they soon find out that someone will stop at nothing to thwart their plan.

I simply loved this psychological mystery filled with lots tension on every page. It has oodles action, suspense galore to keep us on our toes, a bit of romance to soften the narrative. But what it does well is telling us how money and the search for power can corrupt anyone. This tale is neatly said.

Although part of a series this amazing novel works very well as a standalone. But be warned, if you haven’t read the first two novels you will be very curious to see what is in them. I know I was glued to every word with “Dark Ambitions” and so captivated I couldn’t stop myself from rapidly flipping the pages to see where it would lead. No doubts, the story is fast-paced, has crazy plot twists and an ending I did not see coming. A plus are the amazing characters to entertain us from the get-go.

I enjoyed this book immensely…Kudos

I received this book from the Publisher Revell via the First Reviewer Program for my thoughts

"Always Look Twice", by Elizabeth Goddard

Uncommon Justice #2

Harper Reynolds is the star in this soft suspense/modern day romance story and Deputy Heath McKade, a childhood friend, is called to keep an eye on our heroine.

In a few words:

Harper has traded her job as a crime scene photographer for the serenity of the outdoors in Jackson Hole Wyoming but things did not turned as she wished when she captured a murder being committed and had to flee the scene in fear….Now someone is out to silence her. When the sheriff’s department cannot find any evidence of the murder she had witnessed both Harper and Heath are determined to try to put pieces of the crime together and keep safe.

My thoughts:

I’m not a Romantic Suspense fan. This type has always been a hit or miss genre for me but since I read the first book I had to give this one a go. Mostly not my cup of tea but who knows curious as I am…..

This story drew me in at first with some of the exciting scenes but in the long run I found the tempo became lethargic and seemed to be turning in circle for many chapters till we reached the final pages where everything sprang into action and provided enough suspense with twists and turns and finally we had some excitement. Along the way, we have a scene or two that had me almost holding my breath…. (I let you discover them) Done beautifully is on concealing the identity of the “who” till the last moment. Leaving the fun for us to figure out who really was behind all this excitement.

The characters are interesting, likable and well rounded. Their struggles seemed real although I did get frustrated by how much they focused on the past but it was nice that they finally moved on by the end and allowed to find healing. Awe…. and a budding romance….

The story has a good message of faith, caring for people and second chances all said in a style that is clean and smoothly narrated to make it an easy and pleasant read.

“Always Look Twice” is a novel I both appreciated and enjoyed, I also struggled to keep my attention at bay but I failed to do so in too many places to say this novel was the best book I had read in a long time. But in whole, it is well-done.

I receive a copy of this book from the publisher Revell via NetGalleys for my thoughts.

"Passport to Death", by Yigal Zur

Book #2 in the Dotan Naor Series

The story in a few words:

Dotan Naor, an Israeli private investigator, goes to Thailand to find Sigal Bardon who has disappeared in Bangkok. Dotan is familiar with the city’s dark side and he knows in his search every path will be blocked but this will not deter him in his pursuit for Sigal Bardon. Dotan is one who specializes in rescuing missing young Israelis abroad.

My thoughts:

Dotan, this tough-talking Tel Aviv private eye narrates his story and his voice inevitably pulls you next to him as we follow him in his search for the missing woman. The dark and seedy side of the city is dissected in all its glory with sensual pleasures and all the corruption you can imagine. This drama is fast moving and is filled with gritty thrills which had me flipping the pages so captivated by Dotan’s pursuit of the elusive Sigal. Along the way he encounters a number of stock characters: a know it all cabbie, a matriarch madam, a drug boss and we learn everything we need to know about the sex and narcotics trade. As the search goes on I had no idea where things were going and if Sigal would ever be found but the suspense is in the uncertainty of no knowing…..and this is very well-done. The added flavour is the exotic locale which Dotan navigates and brings him to dead end bars, addicts with no way out and every form of crime. Things did not stop there, Dotan also goes to place where he has to confront the ghosts of the past…

This is an easy and fast read that delivers suspense cover to cover.

“Passport to Death” is Dotan second mission his first can be read in “ Death in Shangri-La”.

"The River Girls, by Melinda Woodhall

Mercy Harbor Thriller book #1

Who’s killing the girls of Willow Bay?

Eden Winthrop, the key player, runs “Mercy”, a shelter for abuse women in honor of her sister whose life was taken prematurely. She has been blaming herself ever since her sister died for not protecting her. So when a troubled teen showed up at the shelter, then disappeared she made it her mission to find her……But when a friend of the teen turned up dead in the Willow River the search turned out to be another ball game……

It opens with a murder in progress. The killer think he is saving his victims from sex and drug trafficking and from police corruption. There on we have more murders, lots of violence, domestic abuse and an investigation that uncovers that the latest Willow River killing is linked to two cold cases murders and the twisted motive of a serial killer.

This is definitely a page-turner and a real nail biter of a thriller. Intense and emotion packed from the opening and never let go. We have lots of twists and turns to keep us on our toes and as it smoothly progresses to its conclusion it is hard to pin point the whodunit till reaching the few last chapters. The main character is a mess and plays her part beautifully as a woman who suffers from PTSD. We have other interesting characters such as the Detective who is in charge of the cases and the lawyer who had defended Eden sister’s killer plays a very important role… it doesn’t stop there we also have seedy characters and violent pimp with his sidekick there helping to move this captivating thriller along.

What a great job the author did with the presentation, the narration, the dialogue, of course the plot and the entertaining characters. Well done.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"The Anunnaki Purse", by Gerald J. Kubicki

Book # 32 in the Colton Banyon Mystery

Mr.Kuckicki has created an exciting mystery blended with some Sumerian mythology and has topped it all with some fantasy. What I like the best about this series is although fictional we always learn something of history all said in an entertaining way. This latest is based on the Anunnaki, ancient Sumerian gods whose primary function was decree the fates of humanity. Some believed them to be extraterrestrial.

It has been a long time between novels and I missed reading Colton exploits. “The Anunnaki Purse” is divided in Fourteen parts and starts a long time ago “A Very Ancient Times” with the ruler of Nibiru looking down on a planet in trouble, then the story progresses to “Ancient Time on Earth” and to the “Present Day”. There is a lot going on, first the Annunaki purse is found then is stolen and then the hunt is on to retrieve it. Colton takes a long time to show up but finally does with his team in Part three chapter Fourteen. But once in, his contribution to the story is what makes this thrilling adventure intercepted with fantasy a very pleasant read.

The prize:

Why is the purse so valuable? What magic does it hold? Why is it so sought after? Why would so many kill to get hold of it? We find all answers along the way…..

The Characters:

So many players to entertain us: Egyptians, North Koreans and Americans, good people, bad people and the Anunnaki… all parts played are graphic and visual. Most of all, Colton and the members of the Forever Ours team are always ready for a challenge and of course there to save the day….They are a great group of super heroes…..

The plot:

The story provides one surprise after the other. I won’t spoil your enjoyment by revealing too many secrets. But be ready to travel from one side of the world to another and even take a step or two into the unknown. …and be spooked along the way….

More thoughts:

This is an easy and fast read: small chapters, clean language and a captivating storyline. The characters are well-drawn even the Anunnaki are characterized to leave an impression and they do…..

A special mention taken from the author’s notes

“We don’t know when the Anunnaki appeared, but the first written evidence of them appeared in tablets around 2,500 B.C. We likewise don’t know when they disappeared.”

"Cell 8", by Anders Roslund ,Börge Hellström

Grens & Sundkvist book # 3

This is one provocative reading experience that pushes a point of view that is quite controversial: those who advocate capital punishment. Death-row and the conflicting desires for justice and retribution is the premise in this multilayered plot. Detective Superintendent Ewert Grens will deal with this.

It opens in a US prison with 17 year old John Meyer Frey on death row for a murder he says he did not commit. While on the other side of the world in Sweden, John Schwartz is remanded to jail after assaulting another man….But it turns out that Frey and Schwartz are one and the same…..How this came to be discovered comprise much of the story.

The mesmerising crime narrative will grab you by the throat and never let go. This is one concocted and devious plot that is hard to put down. It is said with flashbacks to the past to provide answers and the manipulations so masterfully told that I was caught off guard, extremely intrigued by the direction the plot was going and even more how it would end. Although I was frantically turning pages hoping for a positive outcome I was off base so many times that I gave up trying. Not being able to predict what would happen is what made reading this mystery all the more enjoyable. I didn’t see the twist at the end coming.

This story is not without Grens’ eccentricities, he is a special character whose bizarre attitude is what makes him different. I like him he is so entertaining with is rock and roll music and dancing to the tune….in his office. Other good players add colour and atmosphere to this absolutely original story.

"Fatal Greed", by John W. Mefford

Greed book #1

Something fishy is going on with this deal …does anyone knows the true intent of a corporate takeover? When a technology giant swallows up a private company for one the thought of layoffs comes to mind.

Michael Doyle a mid-level management is sure that he and many of his friends will lose their jobs when the top brass announces they have sold out to an international conglomerate. But his self-pity is cut short when he discovers the dismembered body of a co-worker, this gruesome murder gave him purpose to investigate the whodunit and the why.

This a deeply compelling crime drama that chronicles the live of Michael who finds himself on the corporate’s chopping blocks. The plot has a bit of everything: suspense, mystery, adventure, sex, love, corporate power, personal needs, murder, backstabbing, mischief, etc. and is masterfully created to hold our attention throughout. It mainly centers around a corporate sale and on the level of greed necessary to satisfy each personal goal. The author paints a bleak picture with a realistic touch of what could happen to anyone these days.

Lots of suspense builds up while trying to find who is behind the gruesome murder. This fast-paces edge of your seat mystery held my attention captive from page one till I reach the conclusion. I simply couldn’t put the book down and read it in two settings. Another well- written story played out by great characters.

Smooth style, easy to read and a unique storyline, what is not to like.

"The Preserve", by Steve Anderson

Set in the U.S territory of Hawaii. 1948. “The Preserve” is based on some true events, includes real-life characters and offers a meaningful take on the dark side of American power in the postwar era. Reading this novel you should be willing to face some grim truths.

This is the sequel to “Under False Flags” which I haven’t read and I surely missed out not having done so. It would have been an asset to have read it in order to better understand where the main character, Wendell Lett, came from and why he ended up in Hawaii. Although the author does make mention of his past he did not elaborate. So now I am curious to read Wendell’s mission in Europe.

According to Mr. Anderson his story is entirely fictional. But it wouldn’t be surprising if a camp like the preserve did exist with its classified psychological drug programs, its clandestine rogue operations, and a place where plots against major figures are made including assassination. “The Preserve” and Wendell Lett brings us deep into the heart of what could have been…..In “The Preserve”, Wendell desperately seeks a cure for his severe combat trauma, he thinks he is in wright place for his salvation…or is he?.... he is not alone…

Seeking a new beginning is Kanani Alana who became a close friend to Wendell. This tough-minded Hawaiian who speaks Hawaiian Pidgin English added local colour to the narrative and a sense of place. Her language is smoothly incorporated and is not overly done. The author has a strong way with prose, slow, pausing at times to let us savour his tale.

Wendell and Kanani although are the main characters they do not play in this drama by themselves. There is a huge cast of characters that crosses their paths. Some names are known such as General Douglas MacArthur and the nefarious US intelligence operative Ed Lansdale and others less familiar but nonetheless important players.

It is not without suspense. When Wendell discovers the true intentions behind the camp, he and Kanani plan a dangerous escape. But can they survive the harsh wilderness of the Big Island?....Their escape is slow moving but what a nail-biting drama we follow. Well-done, it is hard not to root for their success.

Included in this captivating story, is the search for the missing Imperial Japanese fortune that had been plundered throughout Asia during the war. The author also mentioned that with the U.S. military ruling the territory the Hawaiians culture and ways of life changed for ever.

“The Preserve” is an exciting fiction written with elegance.

"River of Lies", by R.M. Greenaway

B.C. Blues Crime # 5

Ms. Greenaway has created another excellent story in rain drenched Vancouver for our enjoyment. It is preferable to follow this series in sequence otherwise you will definitely feel something is missing. Although, do not hesitate if you did to start the series here, each book has its own excellent mystery that would captivated you.

The plot is a complicated one and is cleverly thought of to give us an irresistible puzzle filled with cunning twists and a gripping police procedural. Two excellent cases that had my full attention from start to finish: one of a young woman who was left to die in a school parking lot, the case was taken over by Constable JD Temple while the second had Constables Dave Leith and Cal Dion concentrating on the mysterious disappearance of a toddler during a dinner party. In their chases to get to the bottom the detectives found many links between a tragic drowning, a violent assault and an apparent suicide that crisscrossed their paths and helped them to reach a conclusion and close their investigations.

Ms. Greenaway pens a multilayered mystery that is interesting and captivating but you have to forget about car chases, gun fights and Kung-Fu action, this mystery keeps a steady tempo rather slow moving till the end. Things may not move fast but the words are so vividly said you have time to imagine what is going on and create a colourful scenario in your mind. At best is the strong narrative all through that gives strengths to the investigations and inevitably holds us captivated, glued to every word from start to finish. Great characterisation to boot.

I received this ARC from Dundum Press via NetGalleys for my thoughts.

"Phantom", by Jo Nesbo

Harry Hole book #9

Jo Nesbo certainly can do plots but I found “The Phantom” to be less outlandish than some of his previous Hole novels. It is a story very hard to follow.

“Violin” is the new synthetic drug: potent and plays havoc with Oslo’s population and its distribution is controlled by a Russian gangster “Dubai” a shadowy figure who lurks behind all the action in Phantom. Of course the drug syndicate wants Oleg dead and that gives Hole license to pursue.

What a strange way to open your story: a chapter narrated by a rat? Fortunately the story unfolds through two perspectives: a conventional third-person narrative that follows Hole on his journey, interspersed with first-person memories and observations from the drug dealer.

The development rambles a lot and I found it to be a very complicated story with lots of plot threads that doesn’t seem true. This is one story that is woefully overwritten. I was consistently lost as to what and who I was supposed to be paying attention to. Unlike “Snowman” and “Leopard” it felt stale and by far less interesting. It’s also a bit slow-paced. “Phantom” took a long time to build up before anything of note happened. The second half of the book is far better structured with all the requisite twists and turns and with endless action and violence. But the good parts came too late to be an enjoyable read. This story is so hard to follow that I wanted to drop it many times….. But I stuck with it and read it to the end….I knew I needed to do so in order to have a smooth intro to the following novel.

Some stories are better than others…..this one is not my preferred.

"Be Careful What You Wish For", by Jeffrey Archer

The Clifton Chronicles book #4

The fourth novel in the Clifton Chronicles series picks up minutes where the “Best Kept Secret” left. Set in England and spanning the years 1957-1964 we follow the Clifton-Barrington family saga in their face off with Don Pedro Martinez, a smuggler who became a staunch enemy in the preceding book and is hell-bent to destroying them.

You definitely need to read the three first books before you get to this one. We do not have many details and the characters’ background to have a complete idea of what the Clifton Chronicles are about. (It would be a big miss on your part). Mr. Archer weaves an “unputdownable” story with the use of such simplest possible words. He is so easy to read, I wanted to keep reading just to find out what was happening to the Cliftons and the Barringtons and in what kind of troubles they managed to get into this time (the best part in my books). The story contains thrilling surprises page after page and is plotted with skills to play a cat-and mouse game with us. The tension and the built-up are terrific and have kept me on the edge of my seat.

No family saga is without a villain, this book has a good one, a well-drawn and believable character. While telling this tale, Mr. Archer's characters, even in the midst of blazing run-ins maintain their British elegance and dry sense of humour. What a treat to read.

Being a marvelous storyteller and a tease that he is, has managed to leave the story with an excellent cliff-hanger that constrains us to get the following installment (I already have it).

“Be Careful What You Wish For” is thoroughly engaging.

"The Princeling of Nanjing", by Ian Hamilton

Book #8 in the Ava Lee series

It is a sheer pleasure to read Ava Lee’s globe –trotting experiences. Each story is fresh. Although I know what to expect Mr. Hamilton throws enough curveballs to keep me curious and engaged. This latest follows “The King of Shanghai” where Ava embarked on a business partnership, The Three Sisters investment firm.

The “The Princeling of Nanjing” begins with a fashion show to launch the Po line of designer clothes. Before she can cherish her success, Ava is visited by Xu, who has a very serious problem. Xu is in trouble with a corrupt political dynasty and needs Ava’s help in the hope of finding something that can take the pressure off…. Ava and Xu had developed a relationship and a mutual trust in the last book.

It took me a few pages to get back into the groove and recall where I had left off but after a short time I was completely swept up in the story and enjoyed spending time with Ava as she navigates her world. In this episode we are treated to a lovely blueprint of how corruption might work in China. What I missed the most is we have little exhibition of lethal type Chinese martial arts that Ava often uses to put her words across, there are some subtle moves when she takes on two thugs sent to kidnap her but not what we usual see. The story moves along slowly and has many personal moments. Something is definitely brewing between Ava and Xu, seems we may have a growing affection here. Hopefully we will see how far this unexplored sexual attachment goes. It surely added piquancy to this story after all Ava is not into men…. What make this series delightful are the details Mr. Hamilton describes for the most exquisite meals, the customs and manners experienced whether you are in a high end or a hotpot restaurant. ….he compares a dish to a picture, a sport game, a musical performance and gives it personality…. I dare you not to smack your lips and savour along with the characters…. :) Some may find a wee bit too much description of food and too much traveling on unfamiliar roads in this book, I did at times. Ava is one smart, sassy, Toronto-based forensic accountant.

“The Princeling of Nanjing” is a thrill of a read that is hard to put down.

"Cilka's Journey", by Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz book #2

This novel proclaims to be based on a true love story. Cilka whose real name is Cecilia Kovacoca was 16 in 1942 when she entered Auschwitz and was forced to become the commandant’s sex slave. On liberation, still only 19, she was charged as a collaborator by the Russians and sent to the Siberian gulags. In her new prison Cilka faced new and familiar challenges and confronted terror and death daily. She also found love.

“Cilka’s Journey” is based on research woven into a fictionalized story. The author states this is not a biography or an authoritative record of historical events but simply traces her heartbreaking journey through hell. The account particularly centers on the treatment of women in Vorkuta Gulag and the maltreatment and violence the men also had to endure. Brutality, rape and undernourishment were the ways of everyday life. Daily, force labor and the extreme cold awaited them to succumb.

Although this is the second novel in the series, “Cilka’s Journey” can easily work as a standalone. Throughout we have flashbacks skillfully weaved in spanning from 1939-1945 giving us enough background about Cilka’s past and also filling the gaps for those who have not read book #1.

Since I read very few books about the Russian Gulags I much appreciated the notes from Heather Morris and additional history on Vorkuta in the afterword by Owen Matthews. These chapters at the end of the book clarify what is factual to what was enhanced to suit the author’s narrative in order to make a most captivating story.

Thousands of prisoners were interned for all kinds of reasons and thousands died in the Gulags during the time Stalin was in power. After his death and a power struggle Khrushchev emerged victorious and denounced Stalin’s purges and ushered a less repressive regime, thousands of prisoners were pardon and sent free, Cilka’s and the man she had fallen in love with were among them.

I did not find this novel to have a depressing story but rather one that showcase resilience and hope. This is a well-written, well researched story hard to put down.

I receive this ARC from the publisher St-Martin’s Press via NetGalleys for my thoughts.

"Beyond the Moon, by Catherine Taylor

This debut novel is a poignant and stirring love story that brings together Lt Robert Lovett, a talented artist and British World War 1 hero and Louisa Casson, a young woman living in modern day England.

An historical fiction with time travel mix with a love story is not what I usual love to read. The synopsis sounded interesting so I gave it a go and I was not disappointed. This story is nicely written and shifts between 1917 with Robert fighting the war and 2017 with Louisa in a psychiatric hospital trying to maintain her sanity while she travels back in time to 1917 as a VAD nurse in France and back to the future in the insanity ward. The chapters weave between the two periods as they tell the wartime love story. At first, Louise passage to and from the past is inconsistent but mid-way when her stay in the past seems permanent, the story takes off and we have hope that the love birds may reconnect….awe.

The horrors of war are excellently captured with all the gore, the fear, starvation, filth, trench foot, putrid body parts, exposure to the elements, the medical treatments, etc. These war vignettes enable us to better understand the feelings experienced. Although the story is mostly set during the horrific reality of the war it also includes details on treatment of mental illnesses today.

Time travel, each book has its own way to get to the other side of time. In “Beyond the Moon” the author has given us the illusion that just opening a door will do the trick. It did for Louisa.

Putting aside that the pacing drags in places and it takes way too long before the characters come together this fantasy said with total lack of fuss is a joy to read. What an original way to tell a story….

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

"At Every Turn", by John W. Mefford

Alex Trout Thriller, book #10

Redemption Thriller, book #22

Mr. Mefford’s stories never disappoint, he creates nail-biting scenarios which keeps us guessing from the opening pages and does not let go till we reach the closing chapter. Following Alex and her team to the crime scenes and through the evidences you feel as you are part of the investigation along with them.

In a few words:

“A serial killer dubbed the Rose killer is on the loose. The killer leaves a rose at the crime scene. There are similarities to the murders occurring across the nation. Is it the actions of the same killer or is there a copycat? Alex needs to find the killer before he strikes again….meanwhile on the Homefront things are falling apart….”

Further thoughts:

Stirring, gripping, “At Every Turn” is an edge of your seat, fast-paced and well written drama very hard to put down and one that leaves something in the air for next time….of course all played out by a cast of well-defined characters. Two suspenseful threads: one an exciting investigation and the other a suspenseful family saga.

I join the readers in saying: this is a “didn’t see that coming” thriller. What a great addition to the series. Well-done.

"Drained", by E.H. Reinhard

Book #1, in the Agent Hank Rawlings Series of FBI Thrillers

In a few words what we are getting into reading “Drained”

“A known serial killer is once again taking lives in Chicago. Bodies drained of blood are being strewn across the city. “

Sounds macabre, indeed it was.

Although this is your regular, fast-paced, crime fiction it also has its own interesting elements. I love how the story takes the catch me if you can approach and plays a tight cat and mouse game from start to finish. The story moves along at the steady pace, not particularly gore filled but enough to make you cringe at times. Oh yes, I kept turning pages and fast so wanting to know how long it would take Hank Rawlings, the protagonist, before he was able to put the squeeze on the serial killer. The action is play by play and very detailed. Some may say too much action spelled out can be tedious, I agree to some degree but it helps us to understand the good guys, the arrogance of the bad guy and the lifestyle of the victims.

For a FBI thriller, it was a very easy read with lots of exciting scenarios, several twists and turns not a dull moment throughout most of all we find a great set of characters to keep track of. The author’s ability to twist fear drives the story and makes it engaging. Well-done

"A Lady in the Making", by Medini Summers

Set in the city of London in 1850–This tale is about a girl born into abject poverty in the Seven Dials and became a prostitute in order to survive. Aloise is not only clever but also resourceful, at great cost, by enlisting as emigrant on a ship bound for New Zealand she managed to create a niche for herself. This is her story….

Eloise is the narrator and tells her story in a Cockney slang, a language spoken at the times from those living in the slums of London. Reading a language I am not familiar with was slightly intimidating and I missed a lot by skipping through some of the passage, no way I wanted to be tied down to a dictionary. However, I understand this to be part of the character and of the time.

The plot is divided in three sections, each following Eloise’s journey. First part: her time on the dangerous and violent streets of the Seven Dials, the second part: finally free of the filth of London, Eloise tells how she spent her time during the crossing towards the New Colonies and finally the third part tells us how she managed to survive once she reached the shore. In whole her journey was interesting and it eventually pulled me in. What chaotic life she led with men using and abusing her… what a sad existence. She couldn’t even escape this in the new world….

Beautifully written in the first person, this historical fiction is an inspiring tale of survival.

“A Lady in the Making” was on my TBR for a very long time, today as I post my thoughts I see that it is no longer available at most big online stores. A shame.

"Lightning in the Clouds", by Glenn Trust

Journey and Passage

This book is a collection of short stories dealing with the journey and passage that we will take at the end of our time. There is no escape and when our time comes we will go….

11 well-written stories of different genres, some you zip through in no time and other you take a leisurely stroll through their scenarios. All have death in common but before death there is life. Mr. Trust words are not macabre they simply send you on an emotional journey. The stories range from mystery, suspense, social issues, etc.…… with fear, anger, defeat, laughter and tears we are taken on a moving passage along with the characters.

Although I am not usually a fan of short stories, here I make exception. From start to finish there are no dull moments, each scenario is captivating and exciting. The plots although short are detailed and based in the real world with characters that deal with facts of life in all their frailties.

Mr. Trust is an excellent storyteller, his 195 pages “Lightning in the Clouds” is worthwhile reading.

"The Taste of Rain", by Monique Polak

This is a heart ranching story of the 28 girls living in a hut with their teacher Miss E. in Weihsien Civilian Assembly Center, a Japanese prison in Northern China, during WW11. 13 year old Gwen, one of them, is the narrator and gives us the grim realities of prison life. By 1945, she had been interned for 2 years and a half along with other children who were enrolled at a boarding school in Chefoo when the Japanese Imperial Army invaded China.

Although the story is meant for young readers as an adult I found it well told, compelling and very much engaging. We do not see much fiction set during this time and even less being told through the eyes a young teenager. Gwen’s story is based on true accounts.

As the narrative unfolds in the present tense and the condition in the camp is detailed enough but in a tone considerably softened for the ears of a young audience, we live the horrors of beatings, starvation and lack of everything. By the end we are left to our imagination to what happened to Gwen’s fate with the arrival of the American troops. This story leaves several threads hanging, quite disappointing not to know.

The other characters in this tragic story are Miss E., the Japanese guards, a kindly Japanese officer, Lu, a Chinese laborer and some of Gwen’s friends give us heart rending moments.

“The Taste of Rain” is the sort of book that will engage as well as inform young adults and grown-ups as well.

I received this ARC from Orca Book Publisher via the First Reviewer Program for my thoughts

"Never Forget", by Martin Michaud

A Victor Lessard Thriller book #1

This is cleverly weaved and thought-provoking story will send shivers down your spine within its few first pages. This tale is set in francophone Montreal and because Victor Lessard is the kind of series that makes you addicted, incredibly so. I am warning you will be hooked from the start. I was, I simply devoured this book!

“Never Forget” is a difficult investigation with multiple bifurcations in a snowy Montreal, "sloché" and icy that begins for Detective Sergeant Victor Lessard and his teammate, the voluminous and strong Jacinthe, ten days before Christmas.

The opening scene hits hard….

“He is the murderer. No, it's her. Finally, it must be him. Oh boy!...I don’t know anymore”

The book is written with finesse. As the bodies are falling, my frustration at not finding who the killer is also rising at the same pace as those of the characters who are investigating, so I need to find out and continue reading, and read and read till the conclusion….what a page-turner.

Martin Michaud does not go without a dead hand. In less than 100 chapters, in less than 700 pages he manages to evoke the Middle Ages and his refined tortures with a crime weapon poetically named "the fork of the heretic", makes live and die Lortie , a poor fellow, "perfect scapegoat, a former victim of the MK-ULTRA program, fragile and psychologically unstable, he flies over contemporary history with the assassination of JFK and its hypothetical plots. The author also offers his detective sergeant a suspicious story whose son twists up to catch the CIA and the FLQ. These sidebars will resonate for Quebecois and those who were around in the 60’s and 70’s.

“Never Forget is well written, action packed, fast paced and very suspenseful, the plot leaves no respite until the denouement. We find with pleasure characters that become more complex as we read on…

We are definitely in good hands with this book. I simply loved this murder investigation and the police procedural that went with it.

I receive this ARC from the publisher DunDurn Press via NetGalleys for my thoughts.

"In Rhino We Trust", by Dave Butler

Book # 3 in the Jenny Wilson Mystery

Although part of a series this book stands very well by itself. Not having read the two first installments I found the author did a marvelous job situating his readers with small background snippets of whom and where his protagonist Parks Canada warden Jenny Wilson and secondary players come from. In this latest Jenny left Canada to join an American colleague in Namibian to assist the authorities in stopping the loss of rhinos to poaching.

Namibian is an important part of this story, its well-researched social and political climate at the forefront. The narrative is rich in knowledge of the place, its people and animals. All is said in a good pace with plenty of action. “In Rhino We Trust” is a plight of wildlife to be saved from those who are being supplied by international criminal gangs with equipment to track and kill them for their horns. The scarcity of rhinos today drives the price higher and higher, what an incentive for those wanting to pad their pockets at the expense of wildlife ….This story of an anti-poaching team who put their lives on the line to protect these animals is heartwarming. Mr. Butler in his tone shows the love he has for wildlife and has penned an original and suspenseful story populated with a strong cast of characters to tell us.

This fiction leaves a strong message behind its words….well-said

I receive this ARC from the publisher DunDurn Press via NetGalleys for my thoughts.

"Map of Plagues", by J.F. Penn

Mapwalkers book #2

Ms. Penn’s stories are a blend of psychology and the supernatural written in a fast-paced style. No doubts in my mind, she is in her elements writing dark fantasy thrillers. “Map of Plagues” chronicles further the journeys started in “Map of Shadows”, although you could easily fit right in if you start with book#2, it would be preferable to read book #1 first.

Leave all your believes behind and let yourself be transported along with the Mapwalker team across the Borderlands in a race against time to find the missing pieces of a map before the Shadow Cartographers get a hold of them and use their power against Earthside.

I am not a huge fan of fantasy and I usually stay away from reading them but what pushes me to read books written by this author is the richness of her words. Each movement is vividly painted, dark and full of lively descriptions. The author definitely has some wicked creative skills. Did I like this story, not really, too weird and way over the top for my enjoyment. Having said this, you may want to be pulled into a world filled with blood, gore, human sacrifice and creepy characters “Map of Plagues” provides all the elements to do so. Be careful, the world Ms. Penn has created weaves a spell that will hold you captive till you turn the last page….whether you love the story or not.

For myself I stay on the fence with this one.

Note: I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

"The Killing Game", by Toni Anderson

This is an enjoyable romantic suspense set in the mountainous region of north-eastern Afghanistan and tells the story of a snow leopard biologist (Axelle Dehn) who becomes the prey when cold war secrets threaten to expose a modern-day spy ring, and it is also of an elite British soldier (Ty Dempsey) who is forced to choose between his country and his heart.

With flash-backs to the Russian occupation and terrorist attacks in Northern Ireland during the 1970’s the story sails smoothly through its mix of action, military manoeuvers, love and most of all danger. The rhythm is steady and the tone is chilling at times especially when Axelle needs to end the poaching of her beloved snow leopard. At the same time, Ty and his team are on the hunt for one of the most sought after Russian terrorist. And then their paths crosses….and we are into a harrowing fight for survival with many twists and turns to keep us on the edge of our seat.

The chemistry between Ty and Axelle is entertaining… really boy meet girl and awe love is the air…..nothing special….but hey it make for a good read. I admit Axelle got on my nerves at times….but she finally got her act together and I did not dislike her by the end. Ty, well he is the macho military and a guy in love with a damsel in distress who will go to no end to make sure she is safe…awe budding romance.

Overall this story is worth passing time with if you like a soft mystery with a tad of mushy romance…and accept the many clichés along the way you will also enjoy it….……

"Dying Embers", by Glenn Trust

Set in the 1960’s during the time of school desegregation in the South USA, “Dying Embers” tell the story of love, hate and tragedy of six young people clinging to their friendship while racial bigotry rages around them.

Told from the teenage boys’ point of views, this moving story takes us through the struggles of both blacks and whites youths as they have to deal with the realities of desegregation and the white racists’ hatred. Mr. Trust excels in portraying the racial attitudes of the time and creating a reading experience that has held me captive till the last page. I do remember the time of the civil rights movements and the many race riots in the 60’s. It was also the time of the Vietnam War, a time when America was in turmoil inside and outside its borders. The story is well- written to bring out the personalities of each character in roles so realistic and so close to history. How the change in the law had affected all segment of society is cleverly used in this fiction to make us realize how complex and dangerous the situation was during that time.

Mr. Trust has a fantastic way with words and has provided another atmospheric novel hard to put down. Some may think the tempo is on the slow side, but I think the author wanted for us to understand the human strengths and frailties and did so through his characters.

"Back At You", by John W. Mefford

Alex Trout Thriller #9

Redemption Thriller #21

John W. Mefford writes stories with such intensity and to the edge of your seat suspense it is very hard not to be deeply captivated following his protagonist in her mission. Alex Trout is the main character here although Mr. Mefford smoothly weaves in Ivy Nash, the main player, in the Ivy Nash series. “Back at You” brings together two very exciting badass females in journeys that only they can face.

There are two separate threads to follow for most of the thriller till the two paths intersects near the end. Thread one: Alex is at the forefront and in thread two Ivy takes center stage. Both stories are told in alternating chapters and cover the same subject:

What every parent dreads: the abduction of a child.

Alex gets the call and is forced to carry out the wished of the captors. As we follow her on her treacherous journey we are kept on the edge of our seat, adrenaline pumping following her every move. Alex is threatened at every turn and faces one hurdle after the other…even a gun pointed at her face…

While in San Antonio an Amber Alert is set off. Ivy springs into action and is soon on the trail of the assailant trying to find the missing girl. The tension is so palpable following her every move and to see how she tackles the many difficulties thrown her way, no doubts this made for one exciting read.

Alex and Ivy finally met and everything meshed beautifully by the end ….I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough to see if both would succeed…of course they did.

What a roller-coaster ride….well-done …. of course M. Mefford's books are right up my alley..

"Terror", by Ty Patterson

Zeb Carter book # 4

I have been a member of Ty’s launch team for years now and I still love his stories. Ty has 5 well thought out series some ideas taken from his highly fertile imagination and some from current and past events. One thing they have in common: all are graphic and layered with thrilling action and played out with a great cast. With each thriller we see how close the members are with each other, and how they will go to no end if anyone of them gets in trouble. Zeb Carter takes center stage in the Zeb Carter series but the team is close by.

Each thriller has a fresh spin and is as exciting as the previous one. Ty hasn’t lost his touch in providing us a fast-paced, action packed and the many twists that make us relentlessly turning pages. It is also difficult to figure out how everything will turn out by the end. Although we do have many clues, the plot keeps us thinking and guessing till the very end. This latest is no exception.

“Terror”, book #4, in the Zeb Carter series has a plot true in today’s world: all over the world single wolfs are sent to kill innocent people thus threatening the fabric of societies. Zeb Carter and his team need to thwart the actions of anarchists before it is too late….what follows is explosive action…..

This thriller certainly can be read on its own merits Mr. Patterson does give some background on his team to situate us without overloading the narrative with too many details. But as always I suggest starting with book #1.

I had a hard time putting this book down and zipped through it in no time. Well done Mr. Patterson and thank you for the ARC.

"An Accidental Death", by Phyllis Smallman

A Sherri Travis Mystery # 5.5

I hate to say this very tiny tiny book was not what I expected. Containing 14 pages of nothing this was more an introduction to her series by giving us snippets of her style and what you could expect in her protagonist. This type of offer was in style a few years back and most of us avid readers hated it, now it seems less authors do this and prefer offering novella instead….much better. This was a huge disappointment….

"What Rose Forgot", by Nevada Barr

This is the story of Rose Dennis, a grandmother in her sixties, who wakes up in an Alzheimer unit at a nursing home. But Rose’s mind is fine, who has committed her is the question?… She does not linger with whom, what and the how, and soon a plan emerge: avoid all medication and stage an escape…. Rose on the lam is at the heart of this story and following one crazy lady trying to find who put her away is sometime funny and sometime unbelievable…...

This sounded like an interesting read and it did for the first few chapters then it got weird and ridiculous. Elderly woman climbing on a roof, sliding down the tiles, jumping out windows, kung-fu Jane at her best was not what I thought this book was all about. Some may think her action was hilarious I did not. I was hoping to see through the voice and eyes of Rose the issues of aging and dementia and how we react and treat them. I also wanted to know what a person of sound mind may do when they are wrongly housed in a nursing home. “What Rose Forgot” turned out to be a comedy at its worst…maybe it was the serious subject taken lightly that didn’t work for me. The characterization was cartoonish and I never connected with any of them. This story wasn’t my cup of tea and by far. I wanted to abandon this story many times but I stuck with it till the end…definitely not for me but it may be for you….a lot of readers have enjoyed it….

Thanks to the publisher St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this complimentary book. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Scorched Earth", by Ty Patterson

Book # 11 in the Warriors series

Once again Mr. Patterson has provided for his die hard thriller fans another suspenseful action story hard to put down.

The plot has the twins Beth and Meghan in the hands of kidnappers and Zeb and his team on the tails of those who dared to do this act against a member of the family. This team is unique and tight knit they will go to the end of the earth and go through hoops to protect each other. The hunt is on…..and we are on a ride that will bring us the US, Mexico, Turkey, Syria and Iraq where Zeb will discover the chilling truth…..

The story is skillfully written to give us a fast paced and action filled scenes to take our breath away. Zeb is usually one step ahead but this time is one behind the kidnappers. His moves and those of his team are unpredictable as they take us around the world where they get involved with gangsters, the cartel, Kurdish extremists, ISIS and even the police, security forces and why not the CIA. Zeb’s moto: find the twins, kill or destroy anyone in the way.

Mr. Patterson hasn’t lost his touch and continues to entertain. Each thriller brings a fresh adventure, plenty of action, impressive traveling, lots of bullets flying ( I could go on and on). What I like the most is how everything is choreographed to a tee and how visual the team movements are described. This thriller would make a great movie.

This story is an excellent summer read. I zipped through it in no time

"Jean Vanier", by Anne-Sophie Constant

Portrait of a Free Man

Who is Jean Vanier:

Jean Vanier is the founder of L'Arche communities, where a small number of people with and without intellectual disabilities live together in a spirit of conviviality and sharing. This is an expensive biography devoted to him by Anne-Sophie Constant and a nice presentation of a man out of the ordinary. Reading this book, one inevitably feels the friendship that united them …..

The pen of Anne Sophie Constant is crystal clear she paints a portrait of a hero to all people. A man who lived to serve those whom the society rejected: the disabled and those plagued with deformity that would send us running. This is a very religious book that emphasis on how much of the gospel is lived by.

Mr. Vanier worked as a Canadian navy officer and professor before turning to charity work and in 1964 he founded L’Arche and the charity now has 154 communities in 38 countries. Ms. Constant tells us how he managed to reach so many people and travelled the world to encourage dialogue across religions. He was a teacher and moral leader who also helped found a group called Faith and Light now composed of 1500 communities in 83 countries. This is extensive documentation on his life and achievements. On the dark side, L’Arche was not exempt from damaging incidents of abuse in the past. The founder took fast action to expel the abusers and today there is no mention of such incident.

While reading this book I had chills. Right or wrong it brought back memories of communes and sects that were the rage in the 60, 70 and 80 where a charismatic leader lured floc of people to their compound, bringing a great amount of money and free help by the followers. Jean Vanier was like an apostle where he went people floc to his side but the difference is Jean was a leader who grew up in a faith-filled Catholic family and discovered the treasure hidden in those who are intellectually disabled and wanted to help. That was his mission and he held to it till is death. Jean Vanier was a hero to many and loved around the world for his devotion.

Jean Vanier died in Paris, France, May 7th 2019 at age 90 he will be remembered as a pioneer who improved the lives of so many people.

I didn’t know of this extraordinary but simple man and less about his achievements. I had to Google his name and his organisation to know more. Too curious to see if L’arche had residences in my hometown and it does…simple residences that perfectly blend in neighborhoods and are run by caring and loving caregivers.

This book will last in my mind for a long time….well-done Ms. Constant.

My thanks to Plough Publishing and NetGalleys for this ARC

"Trigger Break", by Ty Patterson

Warriors book # 10

Totally out of this world, unbelievable, and implausible but what a ride. I love this series but I do need to take time off between installments…ouf action packed a la Jason Bourne, Bruce Lee is put to shame with Zeb’s Kung Fu movements, he is a little much of a super hero but hey why not that is the fun of it. We do not have a dull moment all through, tension from beginning to end in a plot that is exciting with many twists and turns and one that pulls us in right from the start. Definitely this is my genre of story. What a page turner.

“Trigger Break” is mainly set in Japan with the Yakuza right in the middle. So you can imagine it is a challenge to remember names of the syndicates and even to place them but Mr. Patterson knows how to make us blend in with slick sleuthing spin and the Yakuza charms…. The martial arts description is outstanding: graphic and visual. The story also touches some feature of the Yakuza culture such as the tradition of severing the joint of the little finger, drugs-smuggling, human trafficking and arms smuggling, etc. everything is well blended to provide us with a captivating read…. well-done as always.

Mr. Patterson is a gifted storyteller with a wild imagination who is well versed in all branches he thrust his protagonist into. Zeb with his gang of trusted operatives entertain us in intriguing stories spanning international countries.

Zeb is unstoppable….love him.

"One More Degree", by C.J. West

I agree with those saying this fantasy has a very original concept, is very inventive and is highly imaginative. But can it appeal to all…

My take in a nut shell:

Four people’ s souls now in their 72nd year in purgatory are waiting for the solstice to come so they can be reborn and start a life again. While they wait for the time to come they shape the lives of people they choose on earth to their liking: these poor lost souls are: Karma, Lady Luck, Destiny and Fate. The story is told through the eyes of Felix Lacroix (we only discover who he is by the end of the book) as he tells us chapters after chapters what games his pals pull on their targets to change the course of their life….

My thoughts:

Most reviews I read gave this story 5 stars, unfortunately it won’t from me. Ok I may be the odd ball here but at least I am being frank. Although I took the time to read all of it and by the end hated having spent so time on a story that I almost forgot before I had even turned the last page.

Why did this story not gel for me: Too many chapters, one after the other told stories that were disjointed before finally a light came and things seemed to fall into place and the pieces of the puzzle finally matched. Too much time elapsed before I came to figure out that each chapter wasn’t a new story but actually a continuation of the previous spell Karma, Lady Luck, Destiny or Fate had placed on their subjects. Maybe I am not into fantasy….and not believing in the afterlife may also be the reason.

Now that you know I hated this book I must tell you Mr. West has a huge library of stories and I read a good selection of them in the past and have enjoyed most. This book may not have been my cup of tea but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give this one a go…who knows you may love it…..

You really need to change perspective or pass on this one. This is one book you either love or hate…..

"At Any Cost", by John W. Mefford

Alex Trout Thriller book # 8

Redemption Thriller book # 20

This edition begins where the previous left off and this latest is told mostly from Alex and Ozzie‘s perspective. The plot has a strong beginning; someone is holding a gun to Alex’s head…

Our protagonist once more faces new challenges finding herself in the middle of puzzling cases: someone is hacking ATM and dead bodies are turning up and witnesses are being murdered. If this is not enough to contend with Alex thinks there may be a connection to Ozzie protective custody in these cases….and if so this can be dangerous……

You must read this series in sequence to understand where the players come from and appreciate where the thriller leads us. We do not have much backstory to put us straight.

“At Any Cost” is a suspenseful and entertaining read. The plot is well written and pulls you in from the start. The author lets us know a bit more about Alex and Ozzie and how they adjusting to life despite the tragedies they faced as both are now ready to most forward….but will Mr. Mefford let them do so…there is no conclusion here so let’s see in the next book if we will have one.

Reading this book gives a good ride and does not disappoint. What is not to like: extortion, bombings and assassinations and Alex going off the books trying to stop a blood-thirsty group who wants control and pad their pockets…Shots fly, Alex and Ozzie try to escape death but where does this leads….How does everything fit together? … There is a betrayal …..by the end, a gun is pointed at Alex face…will this be her last day of life?....stay tuned… Oh yes, this is one of those books that leave us in a cliff-hanger….

Although I enjoyed this story a lot, it was not my preferred one in the series, at times the narrative seemed rushed and some of the action was not as strong as in the precedent novels. Having said this I still think this is not a book to miss out on.

I enjoy this series and can’t wait to see what Mr. Mefford has in store next.

"Best Kept Secret", by Jeffrey Archer

The Clifton Chronicle book# 3

The book picks up after the events in “The Sins of the Father” and is a real pot boiler that continues the Clifton gripping family and political sagas which spans the years 1945 to 1958 in this installment.

The momentum of the narrative swings between Giles Barrington, now Member of Parliament and the Cliftons: Harry and Emma. The first have of the story moves forward by the legal ruling as to who is the true heir of the Barrington’s and the second part see Sebastian, son of Harry and Emma embroiled in an international fraud crime. Eventually the two families use their influence to pulled Sebastian out of his mess and by the time we reach the last page we are left in a cliffhanger that we do not see coming. Plot-driven novels are hard to discuss without spoilers, so I will say no more…..

So far, I have enjoyed reading this series. The style is simple and the prose is straightforward with minimal description. Mr. Archer knows how to build tension to move his plot forward and how to leave us breathless by the end. The characters may be a bit the cookie cutter type but I love them the way they are. This is definitely a soap opera at its best….

“Best Kept Secret” tells a story by itself, with enough explanation of how the characters came to be without retelling the previous events but rather focusing one the events that were unfolding. Definitely worth reading it.

"The Winemaker's Wife", by Kristin Harmel

This is a complex story of love, betrayal and courage told with exceptional skill. Written in heart wrenching prose “The Winemaker’s Wife” goes back and forth between time and the present: Champagne, 1940 and 2019.

1940

The story gives us a different perspective of Germany occupied France. As it opens Ines has just married Michel, then owner of the champagne house Maison Chauveau when the Germans invade. As the danger mounts Michel joins the resistance. When rumours about Jews being deported… fear sets in… Celine, Michel’s chef de cave’s wife, is half Jewish….. They are afraid of being exposed…

Ines and Celine are the main voices and tell their point of views in alternate chapters as the war moves on. Celine tends to follow her heart and Ines eventually makes a dangerous mistake with a Nazi collaborator….There side is told with warmth and emotions…

2019

In New York Grandmother Edith shows up at Liv Kent’s home insisting on a trip to France, she has something in mind and wants to share her tragic story with her granddaughter.

Edith and Liv are the driving voices when the story moves to the present.

More thoughts:

Actually we have two stories and at first I was wondering where the connection might be. The author keeps giving tidbits of information teasing till the denouement. The suspense is held throughout and very well-done. Although the plot moves very slowly and nothing melodramatic happens well into the novel I was nevertheless deeply engaged from the get-go. This tragic story inspired by real events tells how people make desperate choices in order to survive and is one that offers many twists which I did not see coming.

War stories are my favourite, even if they are fictional there is always some truth to them. “The Winemaker’s Wife” is set amid the champagne vineyards of northern France and we have a small view of how it may have operated during this hard time…right or wrong I do not care, the description is vivid and the drama lively….

Eventually the past and present merge and we are back to the caves of Maison Chauveau. Well-done.

I received this ARC from the publisher Simon& Schuster via NetGalleys for my thoughts

"The Mountain Master of Sha Tin", by Ian Hamilton

Book #12, in the Ava Lee series

Ava is in Shanghai with Pang Fai to visit her ailing friend Xu when a violent triad war breaks out between two feuding gangs vying for control of the Wanchai territory in Hong Kong. Ava steps in to broker a settlement.

This 12th novel does not disappoint. The turf war between the Wings clan who is trying to take back power from Xu, the head of triads, is mixed with cold brutality and provides a fascinating peek into a disturbing world we hear of but hopefully never see. Nothing is subtle with their methods…..

When Xu’s soldiers are kidnapped and the Wings threaten to execute them after sending a box containing six fingers and a twelve hour deadline, Ava is driven to the edge and devises a plan that only death will solve…but who will fall first.

I love Ava Lee she is a female sleuth extraordinaire. In this latest she steps away from recuperating stolen cash and other business ventures to concentrate on being the negotiator between two fearless gangs and help Xu regain full control. The plot is suspenseful and intriguing of course we find lots of violence to make us cringe. Ava is at her best, the challenges she faces are intriguing. The action never ends, move fast and is very captivating, quite a page turner. No worries if you pick up this series here, there is enough backstories to situate the new comers and not too many details to overwhelm the avid fans…..

Once again, Mr. Hamilton has penned a great thriller for our enjoyment and he surely hit the button with this one. . Well-done as usual I love this series.

Many thanks to the publisher House of Anansi Press and to Edelweiss for this ARC